Comments on: Cardiff to aim up against misfiring Wallabies

By: Bay35Pablo

Bay35Pablo — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:10:05 +0000

How do we get Millard back to Aus as a backs coach. Sounds like he’s get a better idea than some at this end ….

By: mattamkII

mattamkII — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:31:09 +0000

yep, its so small that when i played there people would ask “you play rugby? in Adelaide? where are the Clubs? I didn’t know we had any”… There are only 10 or so and not even a semi-pro in sight.

So for a bloke to come from there, break through the Sydney private school set and make it as a pro coach is a very good effort….Bit like a Yank becoming the Head Coach of the West Meath Gaelic Football Team.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:05:50 +0000

I’ll keep that in mind. You learn something new every day.

By: mattamkII

mattamkII — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:58:59 +0000

KO – I know this but from Adelaide is amazing. Only a very small rugby comp there and is an AFL town.

By: Jim Boyce

Jim Boyce — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:15:47 +0000

Andrew – Why are Cardiff lingering second bottom in their Heineken section after 7 games?( See their website)
Putting Beale on the wing is an insult to him, why not hooker. Playing him Full Back at the Waratahs was always stupid but this takes the cake.

By: Colin N

Colin N — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:09:41 +0000

Andrew, I hate to say I told you so, but………

By: stuff happens

stuff happens — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:09:19 +0000

I listened to some of this game and Australia seemed far better than Cardiff Blues right across the park.
Should give them a bit of spark before the Welsh game after a very difficult couple of weeks( largely of their own making as we know).

By: Harry

Harry — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:20:33 +0000

Sounds like – Toomua excepted – a good confidence boost for the young backs, they do ahve an enourmous amount of ability. Shame about Toomua and hope he is OK for next year … he looks a real prospect and a complete, game-controlling and level-headed 5/8th.

By: pothale

pothale — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:10:25 +0000

Good in first half. Ok in second. Aus got two in the last couple of minutes to display their dominance despite losing two guys to the sin bin for stupid fouls.

Game ran out of spark, but at least Australia got to run the ball. Cooper did well at 10, and O’Connor is a good livewire. Beatley touched down two and I reckon he’ll push for a starting place against Wales.

toomua’s jaw did not look good – fair play to him he sat on the bench after he came off – must have been screamingly painful.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:00:21 +0000

Any word on how bad Matt Toomua’s broken jaw is?

By: Harry

Harry — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:43:56 +0000

Well 31-3 to Australia looks like a good result. What was the game like?

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:22:16 +0000

The majority of coaches come from club rugby.

By: mattamkII

mattamkII — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:59:12 +0000

Bill Millard isnt doing too bad for a bloke from club rugby in Adelaide.

By: tarpo

tarpo — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:53:17 +0000

Hangers would be a better option than Gits at 10in the 1st team, but that is probably not doing Hangers justice give how bad Gits has been.

By: tarpo

tarpo — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:48:27 +0000

He was actually captain of the Maori, shows what an outdated concept it is. You only need a tiny % of maori to qualify.

By: Knives Out

Knives Out — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:32:38 +0000

I’m with Colin. Having watched the Cardiff Blues reasonably regularly I have never seen such consistently horrible back play. I’m guessing that you’re not a regular ML fan, Andrew. The Blues are poor. Their runs in the two cups coincided with a terrible effort in the ML. Frankly, Millard is the answer to nothing, and neither is Dai Young.

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:55:41 +0000

Yes, but genetics aside — ie recessive genes etc — we do not know his entire family history. His grandmother or mother could well be an Irishwoman with flaming red hair.
Francois Trinh Duc looks like no Vietnamese I know.
What is a maori anyway? Racially they belong to the Polynesianm group. What sets them apart is culture. But all this isa discussion for another place and time.
Bottom line is that race is a useless concept.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:05:33 +0000

I am sure it can – especially when short of a quality second rower.

Sorry I should not bring the Maori selection into it – I always thought Tito was a dirty player and not worthy of an All Black jersey on the basis of both skill and behaviour.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:02:59 +0000

Maoris have dark hair.

By: The Other Reds Fan.

The Other Reds Fan. — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:56:42 +0000

Because Maoris don’t have red hair.

By: Blue Sue

Blue Sue — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:53:49 +0000

Absolutely Ben

We used to go on holidays with a fair skinned, red haired guy, and were absolutely gobsmacked one year when his brother turned up.
Typical Maori with darker skin, hair, physical features and all.
Apparently it is a genetic throwback and can happen. Obviously quite often.

Certainly was the topic of much discussion in the camping ground at drinks time.

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:36:36 +0000

Yes, why not?

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:06:33 +0000

Paul Tito a Maori – with red hair ?

By: Campbell Watts

Campbell Watts — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:20:58 +0000

Cardiff by 1 – a last minute win to rub further salt into the wallaby wounds!
And their kicker converting from the sideline in overtime for the win – to show Gits how it’s REALLY done!!!

By: ob

ob — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:53:17 +0000

I definitely agree about Daniel Halangahu. He is the most underrated 10 in Australia. Although he may not have the razzle dazzle of Giteau or Beale, anyone who has followed Uni over the past five years knows that there is no one better in terms of controlling tempo and field position, organising and directing a team, and generally taking the right options at the right time. Add to this his central role in a team that has made winning close games an art form, and you’ve got to think he has something to add to a national side lacking midfield smarts and the habit of winning.

If Giteau were to play at inside centre with Ione or Mortlock at 13, Halangahu would be just the kind of player who could relaease them. He’d underplay his hand, make good choices, and relieve these instinct player of the burden of strategy.

Oh, and did I mention he can kick goals?

By: Jameswm

Jameswm — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:33:55 +0000

He leaves everyone for dead at club level, including Kurtley and Toomua. He’s ony 25. His defence is massive – if he plays 10-12 with Barnes next year, don’t expect anyone to get through.

He is a good tactical kicker and can guide a team round the field. He has a big step, esp off the left foot, and can beat a man. And he can throw a pass well – maybe the only place where KB gets him. The tahs did so well later in the year because Hangers guided them round the park at 10 and Kurtley had the flashes of brilliance at 12.

Kurtley can play 15 with Turner and Anesi on the wings – and Mitchell on the bench!

By: whodares

whodares — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:29:32 +0000

I think Halangahu must have slept with somebodies wife.

Why else would be be continually over looked?

He was the form no. 10 in the S14 trials last year but couldn’t get a start until the season was almost over for the Waratahs and he was up against a guy that can’t kick, can’t pass and can’t tackle.

Sydney Uni keep winning year after year with him at the helm but they won’t give him a run even in the A team?

By: Jameswm

Jameswm — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:08:28 +0000

If we need options at 10, why is Kurtley playing on the wing?

I know the answer – it’s because we were short a winger and had two 5/8s, so the quicker of the two (and make no mistake, KB is very quick) got shunted to the wing. It used to happen to me – I was a fullback, but if another fullback was in the team, even if he wasn’t as good, I’d get pushed to the wing because I was faster.

Hopefully at half time they sub Toomua off, put KB to 10 and give Morahan a run on the wing. Toomua is OK, but he didn’t do a lot for the Beasties. Halangahu leaves him for dead, but he hasn’t come through the academy system and at 25 must be considered over the hill. How else can one explain the selectors’ preference for Toomua?

By: MM Fike

MM Fike — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:00:17 +0000

The 1984 Wallabies not only lost 26-12 to Cardiff they lost to Ulster 15-13, lost to llanelli 19-16 and lost to South of Scotland 9-6.

Sadly I believe tonight will be loss number seven to Cardiff.

By: fox

fox — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:18:54 +0000

I’d prefer the loss to Scotland than one to this bunch of journeymen.